MLB Draft 2021: See Where The Washington Nationals Pick

WASHINGTON, DC — Fans of the Washington Nationals can get a glimpse of what the future may hold with the 2021 MLB Draft beginning on Sunday.

The Nationals have the 11th selection in the draft. Like most teams, the Nationals could use some more depth at starting pitcher, with 2021 possibly being the last season of future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer with the team and as Stephen Strasburg continues to battle the injury bug.

The Nationals also could use some infield help at three out of the four positions. Trea Turner is a star at shortstop, with fans hoping the team re-signs him to a long-term contact before he becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2022 season.

Ryan "Mr. National" Zimmerman will likely be retiring in the next couple years, and many don't believe Josh Bell is the long-term answer for the Nationals at first base.

Carter Kieboom was supposed to take over at third base when star Anthony Rendon left for the Angels in free agency two years ago. But Kieboom has struggled mightily at both the plate and in the field during his time in the majors.

Altogether, the Nationals will have one pick in each of the 20 rounds of the MLB draft set for Sunday through Tuesday in Denver.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will select first in the draft, followed by the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

Marcelo Mayer, a shortstop from Eastlake High School in California, is rated as the No. 1 draft prospect by MLB.com. Jack Leiter, a pitcher from Vanderbilt University, and Jordan Lawlar, a shortstop from Jesuit College Prep in Texas, are the next highest-rated draft prospects.

Aside from the Nationals stocking up for the future, baseball fans in D.C. and Virginia may recognize the names of some players who will be selected from college and high school.

The draft’s top prospects are scattered across the country.

In D.C., Carter Bosch is considered to be the best baseball player available, according to MLB.com. Bosch, a right-handed pitcher at Georgetown University can throw in the mid-90s in shorter stints and features a good slider. He pitched as both a starter and a reliever, but scouts predict he will likely have a future in the bullpen in professional ball.

In Virginia, Andrew Abbott is considered to be the best baseball player available. Abbott, a left-handed pitcher who played at the University of Virginia, has a fastball that sits in the low-90s and throws a 12-to-6 curveball that might be better than his fastball. Abbott struck out 162 in 106 2/3 innings this spring, third-best in Division I baseball.